The Spanish police believe that the crackdown on criminal motorcycle clubs in Northern Europe could be behind a wave of crime, causing a total of 24 murders on the Costa del Sol in 2019. That writes the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph .

Whereas the Spanish police were used to fighting the criminal activities of Eastern European and South American crime groups on the Costa del Sol, the authorities are now confronted with a new threat of outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs). After OMGs have been crackdowned in recent years in the Netherlands and Germany, police have relocated their territory to the south coast of Spain.

According to the Spanish police investigation team specializing in motorcycle gangs, the influx of such criminal groups is leading to more violent and organized crime in southern Spain. The peak in the number of murders last year would explain that more groups are competing for power. "The Costa del Sol has long been a favorite destination for Serbian, Russian, Italian and Colombian Mafia, because of the quality of life and the amount of money that is laundered; rich criminals can go unnoticed, "said an inspector. (text continues after the ads).

"But last year we saw the tension between criminal organizations in the area increase. The traditionally low criminal activity involving Spanish bikers has now taken on a whole new dimension. The other organizations that have already established themselves in Spain will have something to say about this new element. "